Mark-Making: 5 Abstract Painters You Need To Know
Trends in Contemporary Art
By Julien Delagrange
It is always exciting to closely follow certain trends in contemporary art, to predict, identify, or follow the trend’s development. A very powerful and notable trend in abstract painting today is mark-making. In this article, we will discuss what mark-making is, encompassing five leading artists at the forefront of this visual tendency in contemporary painting.
Frederic Anderson
To conclude, Frederic Anderson, born in 1973 in Luxembourg, is a distinguished artist known for his dynamic and emotive approach to painting. Currently residing and working in London, Anderson is fascinated by the expressive potential of gestural mark-making. The canvases often begin with surfaces that exhibit traces of wear—such as dirt or fingerprints—which inspire his initial marks. His paintings are characterized by their energetic jots, scrawled lines, and spontaneous marks, which convey a broad spectrum of emotions. Anderson’s process involves the use of self-made paint created from pure mineral pigments sourced from semi-precious stones like tourmaline and lapis lazuli. This practice allows him to achieve rich, saturated color fields, which he overlays with delicate sprayed lines, creating a complex interplay of texture and form.
After earning his BFA from the American College in London and an MFA from the University of Arts, London, Anderson has become renowned for his unique artistic language, showcasing in exhibitions across the UK, France, Italy, and Luxembourg. Currently, Frederic Anderson is arguably the least established artist on this list. However, his strong rise and presence at international art fairs is a testament to the power and impact of mark-making in today’s art world.
